Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold Sensor Type
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 6600 Series
Salinity ppt 0 70 6600 Series
Salinity ppt 0 70 YSI EXOs
Salinity ppt 0 70 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 YSI EXOs
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 6600 Series
pH pH 2 14 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
pH pH 2 14 6600 Series
pH pH 2 14 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 6600 Series
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0 100 6600 Series
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0 200 YSI EXOs
Turbidity NTU 0 4000 YSI EXOs
Turbidity NTU 0 1000 6600 Series
Turbidity NTU 0 4000 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Discrete Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0.000001 22
Salinity ppt 0 70
Water Temperature Degrees C 3 40
pH 2 13
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0.000001 310
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0.005000001 100
Turbidity NTU 0 -
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/L 0 -
Chlorophyll a uncorrected for pheophytin ug/L 0 -
Chlorophyll a corrected for pheophytin ug/L 0 -
Secchi Depth m 0.000001 50
Light Extinction Coefficient m^1 0 -
Colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM PCU 0 -
Fluorescent dissolved organic matter, FDOM QSE 0 -
Total Nitrogen mg/L 0 -
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TKN mg/L 0 -
NO2+3 Filtered mg/L 0 -
NH4 Filtered mg/L 0 -
Total Phosphorus mg/L 0 -
PO4 Filtered mg/L 0 -
Ammonia- Un-ionized (NH3) mg/L 0 -
Nitrate (N) mg/L 0 -
Nitrite (N) mg/L 0 -
Nitrogen, organic mg/L 0 -
Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 & 2
SEACAR QAQC Description Include SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Not verified in raw data No 2Q
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Verified in raw data No 3Q
Below Minimum threshold. Not verified in raw data No 4Q
Below Minimum threshold. Verified in raw data No 5Q
Within threshold tolerance Yes 6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter Yes 7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include MDL Description
STORET-WIN H No 0 Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN J No 0 Estimated value
STORET-WIN V No 0 Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN Y No 0

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include Description
SWMP -1 Yes Optional parameter not collected
SWMP -2 No Missing data
SWMP -3 No Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP -4 No Outside low sensor range
SWMP -5 No Outside high sensor range
SWMP 0 Yes Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP 1 No Suspect data
SWMP 2 Yes Reserved for future use
SWMP 3 Yes
SWMP 4 Yes Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP 5 Yes Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the surface of all water bodies to the bottom sediments and encompasses the different features found in the water at different depths (National Oceanographic Center, 2016). The water column habitat must be viewed in relation to its interconnectedness with other habitats. A healthy water column is an integral component in ensuring a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem. Having a flourishing marine and coastal ecosystem in Florida is necessary to support a strong economy. The health of the water column is dependent upon factors as diverse as land use (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry practices); human population growth; emissions, (e.g., power plants, automobiles, wastewater); climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, winds and currents); and decadal trends (e.g., El Niño/La Niña, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, climate change).

The water column is composed of various physical, chemical and biological features, and only a small number of them are adequately monitored. Features of the water column that are monitored are used as indicators of the water column health and help assess the status of other habitats. These indicators include nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus); water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH); water clarity (Secchi depth, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter); and nekton (fish, macroinvertebrates and megafauna).

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2024-Feb-22.txt

Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Chlorophyll-a is monitored as a measure of microalgae growing in the water. Algae are a natural part of coastal and aquatic ecosystems but in excess can cause poor water quality and clarity, and decreased levels of dissolved oxygen.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 516 2003 2023
540 127 2016 2020
103 35 2020 2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2003 6 1 16.7
2005 12 7 58.3
2006 3 2 66.7 1 33.3
2007 3 2 66.7 1 33.3
2012 14 1 7.1
2013 26 9 34.6
2014 50 14 28.0 1 2.0
2015 59 2 3.4
2016 46 1 2.2
2017 35 9 25.7
2018 58 1 1.7
2019 30 1 3.3 2 6.7
2020 84 30 35.7 5 6.0
2021 134 25 18.7 1 0.8
2022 91 29 31.9
2023 25 7 28.0

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 356 2003 2023
540 126 2016 2020
103 14 2000 2021
118 4 2000 2006

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2017 34 3 8.8
2019 30 1 3.3 2 6.7
2020 80 13 16.2 1 1.2
2021 114 22 19.3
2022 91 19 20.9
2023 25 6 24.0

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a key indicator of water quality. Oxygen enters surface waters by air-sea gas exchange, by wind action, or as a byproduct of aquatic plant photosynthesis. The actual quantity of DO in aquatic environments is dependent on the above processes as well as water temperature and salinity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 29406 1991 2023
69 15858 1991 2017
3001 6092 1991 2022
3013 1107 2003 2023
95 447 1996 2018
540 127 2016 2020
103 63 2004 2021
115 28 1994 1995
118 4 2000 2006

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)
3013 - Seagrass (SJRWMD)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen in Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 6143 1991 2023
3001 6104 1991 2022
3013 570 2012 2023
95 5 2016 2018

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)
3013 - Seagrass (SJRWMD)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation in Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

pH - Discrete Water Quality

The pH of water is the measure of how acidic or basic the water body is on a scale of 0-14, with lower readings indicating acidic and higher readings indicating basic, and a pH of 7 being neutral. Florida’s natural waters fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on this scale. A water body’s pH can change due to precipitation, geology, vegetation, water pollution and air pollution.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for pH
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for pH
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 21786 1995 2023
69 15859 1991 2017
3001 5699 1991 2022
3013 1119 2003 2023
95 440 1980 2018
540 119 2016 2020
103 62 2004 2021
115 22 1994 1995

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)
3013 - Seagrass (SJRWMD)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for pH in Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

Salinity - Discrete Water Quality

Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in the water. In estuarine ecosystems, salinity is influenced by precipitation, evaporation, surface-water inputs, and exchange with coastal waters.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Salinity
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Salinity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 32129 1991 2023
69 15924 1991 2017
3001 6058 1991 2022
3013 1123 2003 2023
95 471 1972 2018
540 127 2016 2020
115 25 1994 1995
118 10 2015 2021
103 2 2004 2004

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)
3013 - Seagrass (SJRWMD)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Salinity in Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality

Secchi depth is a measure of the transparency or clarity of the water by a device called a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is a black and white disk that is lowered into the water on a cord. The Secchi depth is the depth at which the disk can no longer be seen. The deeper the Secchi depth, the greater the water clarity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Secchi Depth
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 15762 1995 2017
3001 3819 1991 2022
5002 2129 2005 2023
3013 1130 2003 2023
103 71 2020 2021

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
3013 - Seagrass (SJRWMD)
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Secchi Depth
Year N_Total N_S perc_S
2015 1081 12 1.1
2016 1071 26 2.4
2017 1216 188 15.5
2018 538 167 31.0
2019 413 130 31.5
2020 389 87 22.4
2021 578 128 22.1
2022 437 80 18.3
2023 170 70 41.2

Note: 1S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality

Nitrogen and Phosphorous are key nutrients that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of aquatic plants and animals; however, excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. Nutrients enter water bodies several ways, including runoff from rain events and atmospheric deposition from natural and industrial sources.

Total Nitrogen Calculation:

The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.

  1. TN = TKN + NO3O2;
  2. TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
  3. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
  4. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
  5. TN = TKN + NO3;
  6. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;

Additional Information:

  • Rules for use of sample fraction:
    • FDEP report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, they do use dissolved as a best available replacement.
    • An analysis of all SEACAR data shows that 90% of all possible TN calculations can be done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, rather than use nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions. In other words, TN can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fraction, or when both are dissolved sample fraction. This is important, because then the calculated TN value is not based on components with mixed sample fractions.
  • Values inserted into data:
    • ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
    • SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
    • SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”
      Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
      Discrete Water Quality
      Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Nitrogen
      Discrete Water Quality
      The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site
Programs contributing data for Total Nitrogen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 2977 1997 2023
540 124 2016 2020
103 4 2000 2004

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Nitrogen
Year N_Total N_I perc_I
2009 90 1 1.1

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Phosphorus
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 6171 1997 2023
540 126 2016 2020
103 76 2020 2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Phosphorus
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1997 137 26 19.0
1998 408 93 22.8 6 1.5
1999 295 30 10.2 1 0.3
2001 288 24 8.3
2002 477 128 26.8 8 1.7
2003 318 112 35.2 12 3.8
2004 378 134 35.5 1 0.3
2005 301 114 37.9
2006 297 130 43.8
2007 283 133 47.0
2008 276 107 38.8 4 1.4
2009 259 76 29.3 2 0.8
2010 238 113 47.5 20 8.4
2011 221 109 49.3 12 5.4
2012 182 132 72.5
2013 202 119 58.9
2014 239 122 51.0 7 2.9
2015 251 142 56.6 34 13.6
2016 240 132 55.0 16 6.7
2017 120 64 53.3
2020 151 20 13.2 1 0.7 1 0.7
2021 266 43 16.2 1 0.4 1 0.4
2022 175 41 23.4 3 1.7 4 2.3
2023 43 12 27.9

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete Water Quality

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solid particles suspended in water that exceed 2 microns in size and can be trapped by a filter.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Suspended Solids
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Suspended Solids
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 3220 1997 2023
103 41 2020 2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Suspended Solids
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1997 86 46 53.5
1998 203 151 74.4
1999 145 21 14.5 2 1.4
2000 120 9 7.5
2001 172 22 12.8 6 3.5
2002 258 86 33.3 14 5.4 3 1.2
2003 176 82 46.6 18 10.2
2004 252 139 55.2 5 2.0
2005 198 103 52.0 1 0.5
2006 155 55 35.5 3 1.9
2007 144 57 39.6
2008 145 32 22.1 8 5.5
2009 140 24 17.1 2 1.4
2010 119 13 10.9
2011 111 13 11.7 2 1.8
2012 84 43 51.2
2013 89 64 71.9
2014 96 75 78.1 1 1.0
2015 106 72 67.9 1 0.9 1 0.9
2016 106 54 50.9 3 2.8 1 0.9
2017 43 40 93.0
2020 57 38 66.7 2 3.5 5 8.8
2021 140 66 47.1 11 7.9 12 8.6
2022 91 57 62.6 9 9.9
2023 25 12 48.0 3 12.0 3 12.0

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Turbidity - Discrete Water Quality

Turbidity results from suspended solids in the water, including silts, clays, tannins, industrial wastes, sewage and plankton, which are all factors that contribute to how clouded or murky a water column is. Turbidity is caused by soil erosion, excess nutrients, pollutants, and physical forces such as winds, currents and bottom feeders.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Turbidity
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Turbidity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 14877 1995 2023
3013 938 2004 2019
103 40 2020 2021
540 29 2019 2020
95 1 2008 2008

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
3013 - Seagrass (SJRWMD)
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Turbidity
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1998 1127 20 1.8
1999 873 5 0.6
2001 976 18 1.8
2002 905 25 2.8 2 0.2
2003 725 27 3.7
2004 869 32 3.7
2005 739 28 3.8 3 0.4
2006 637 17 2.7 3 0.5
2007 660 58 8.8 4 0.6
2008 650 30 4.6 7 1.1
2009 631 6 0.9 10 1.6
2012 264 20 7.6 8 3.0
2013 150 26 17.3 3 2.0
2014 163 31 19.0 1 0.6
2015 189 7 3.7 9 4.8
2016 186 22 11.8
2017 88 5 5.7 2 2.3
2020 84 18 21.4 1 1.2
2021 138 20 14.5 4 2.9 1 0.7
2022 91 15 16.5
2023 25 4 16.0

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program

Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality

Temperature determines the capacity of water to hold oxygen. Cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen because water molecules are more tightly packed, making it harder for oxygen to escape. Additionally, as water temperature increases, fish and other aquatic organisms become more active and consume oxygen at a faster rate.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Water Temperature
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Water Temperature
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 32594 1991 2023
69 15918 1991 2017
3001 6084 1991 2022
3013 1115 2003 2023
95 463 1972 2018
540 127 2016 2020
103 62 2004 2021
115 25 1994 1995

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
3001 - Lagoon Watch (Formerly Marine Discovery Center)
3013 - Seagrass (SJRWMD)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Water Temperature in Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

Water Quality - Continuous

The following files were used in the continuous analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_NE-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation_NE-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_pH_NE-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Salinity_NE-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Turbidity_NE-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Water_Temperature_NE-2024-Feb-22.txt

Continuous Water Quality
Map showing Continuous Water Quality Monitoring sampling locations within the boundaries of Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve. Sites marked as Use In Analysis are featured in this report.

Dissolved Oxygen - Continuous Water Quality

IRDM

Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (5005)
Continuous Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Continuous Water Quality

IRDM

Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (5005)
Continuous Water Quality

pH - Continuous Water Quality

IRDM

Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (5005)
Continuous Water Quality

Salinity - Continuous Water Quality

IRDM

Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (5005)
Continuous Water Quality

Turbidity - Continuous Water Quality

IRDM

Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (5005)
Continuous Water Quality

Water Temperature - Continuous Water Quality

IRDM

Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Continuous Water Quality Monitoring (5005)
Continuous Water Quality

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

The data file used is: All_SAV_Parameters-2024-Feb-23.txt

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) refers to plants and plant-like macroalgae species that live entirely underwater. The two primary categories of SAV inhabiting Florida estuaries are benthic macroalgae and seagrasses. They often grow together in dense beds or meadows that carpet the seafloor. Macroalgae include multicellular species of green, red and brown algae that often live attached to the substrate by a holdfast. They tend to grow quickly and can tolerate relatively high nutrient levels, making them a threat to seagrasses and other benthic habitats in areas with poor water quality. In contrast, seagrasses are grass-like, vascular, flowering plants that are attached to the seafloor by extensive root systems. Seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, including protected bays and lagoons as well as deeper offshore waters on the continental shelf. Seagrasses have taken advantage of the broad, shallow shelf and clear water to produce two of the most extensive seagrass beds anywhere in continental North America.

Parameters

Percent Cover measures the fraction of an area of seafloor that is covered by SAV, usually estimated by evaluating multiple small areas of seafloor. Percent cover is often estimated for total SAV, individual types of vegetation (seagrass, attached algae, drift algae) and individual species.

Frequency of Occurrence was calculated as the number of times a taxon was observed in a year divided by the number of sampling events, multiplied by 100. Analysis is conducted at the quadrat level and is inclusive of all quadrats (i.e., quadrats evaluated using Braun-Blanquet, modified Braun-Blanquet, and percent cover.”

Species

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is the largest of the Florida seagrasses, with longer, thicker blades and deeper root structures than any of the other seagrasses. It is considered a climax seagrass species.

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is an early colonizer of vegetated areas and usually grows in water too shallow for other species except widgeon grass. It can often tolerate larger salinity ranges than other seagrass species. Shoal grass is characterized by thin, flat blades, that are narrower than turtle grass blades.

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) is easily recognizable because its leaves are thin and cylindrical instead of the flat, ribbon-like form shared by many other seagrass species. The leaves can grow up to half a meter in length. Manatee grass is usually found in mixed seagrass beds or small, dense monospecific patches.

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) grows in both fresh and salt water and is widely distributed throughout Florida’s estuaries in less saline areas, particularly in inlets along the east coast. This species resembles shoal grass in certain environments but can be identified by the pointed tips of its leaves.

Three species of Halophila spp. are found in Florida - Star grass (Halophila engelmannii), Paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), and Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). These are smaller, more fragile seagrasses than other Florida species and are considered ephemeral. They grow along a single long rhizome, with short blades. These species are not well-studied, although surveys are underway to define their ecological roles.

Notes

Star grass, Paddle grass, and Johnson’s seagrass will be grouped together and listed as Halophila spp. in the following managed areas. This is because several surveys did not specify to the species level:

  • Banana River Aquatic Preserve

  • Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

  • Indian River-Vero Beach to Ft. Pierce Aquatic Preserve

  • Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve

  • Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve

  • Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

  • Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve

  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

SAV - Temporal Scope
Maps showing the temporal scope of SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve by Program name.

Sampling locations by Program:

SAV - Sampling Map
Map showing SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve. The point size reflects the number of samples at a given sampling site.

Seagrass (SJRWMD) - Program 3013
N_Data YearMin YearMax Collection Method Sample Locations
123999 1994 2023 Percent Cover 19
146527 1994 2023 Percent Occurrence 19
SAV
Median percent cover by species in Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve. Linear mixed-effects models are applied to each species to produce species trends. The trendlines are then isolated and reproduced below for ease of viewing. The LME results are available in table form beneath the supplemental trendplot below.
SAV
SAV
SAV

SAV
Generalized additive models for each species in Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve. Species must have at least 10 years of data to be evaluated.

Drift algae, Total seagrass, Attached algae, and Total SAV are excluded from the analyses.

Coral Reef

The data file used is: All_CORAL_Parameters-2024-Feb-23.txt
Coral